Clip board



April 19, 1966 c. M. GOODWIN 3,246,914

CLIP BOARD Filed April 16, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Char/es M. GoodwinINVENTOR.

April 19, 1966 c. M. GOODWIN CLIP BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Char/es M.Goodwin Filed April 16, 1964 INVENTOR.

INVENTOR.

April 19, 1966 c. M. soonwm CLIP BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 16,1964 Charles M Goodwin United States Patent 3,246,914 CLIP BOARD CharlesM.Goodwin, Rte. 2, Mount Vernon, Ohio Filed Apr.16, 1964, Ser. No;360,257

7 Claims. (Cl. 281 44) The present invention generally relates to clipboards, and is more particularlydirected to a clip board incorporatingnovel means for fixedly retaining paper on the upper or writing surfacethereof.

A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a means forenclosing and resiliently clamping the bottom portion of one or moresheets of paper to the upper surface of a clip board, this being done inconjunction with an independently releasable means for engaging andclamping the top portion of the paper. I

Another significant objectof the instant-invention.

is to provide that the means for clamping the bottom of the paper bealternately useable as a means for aligning one or more sheets of paper,and further, as a hand rest instant invention.

FIGURE 11 is a partial perspective view, with portions broken away, ofthe bottom end of a modified clip board panel having a modified flapmounting means thereon; and 7 FIGURE 12 is a partial cross-sectionalview taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1212 in FIG- theupper surface 28 of the panel 22 adjacent the top end to provide meansfor'resiliently retaining the bottom clamp means in each of its adjustedpositions.

Also, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a novel meansfor clamping the top portion of paper to the clip board utilizing a pairof pressure members capable of being simultaneously or independentlyreleased.

In addition, it is an object of the instant invention to provide meansmounted on the writing surface itself which cooperate with the pressuremembers so as to prevent movement of the clamped paper.

Further, it is an object of the instant invention to provide paperretaining pressure members which are formed so as to allow foradjustment to minor surface irregularities.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the clip board of the instantinvention with portions thereof broken away for purposes ofillustration;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective View similar to with the flap'at the lower asa hand or arm rest;

FIGURE 3 is an enlargedcross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 33 in FIG URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp means provided atthe top of the clip board panel; FIGURE 5'is a partial perspective viewillustrating the means utilized in retaining the flap in one of itsadjusted positions;

' FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the mounting base for the top clampwith a portion thereof broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on aplane passing along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5 with'the paper removed;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of one of the pressure members or arms; I

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the hanging hook;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of one end portion ofthe flap hinge rodhaving a cradle or saddle shaped head thereon; 3

FIGURE 1 end thereof orientated for use thereof, this upper surface 28being flat so as to provide a writing surface upon which one or morepapers 30 are to be received and retained in position by both the clampmeans 24 and the flap means 26. The clamp means 24 includes a generallyU-shaped mounting base 32 including front and rear parallel walls 34 and36 interconnected in' spaced relation :by a flat bight portion 38integral with the lower edges of each of the walls 34and 36. The rearwall 36, which is of a greater heightt-han the front wall 34, includes acoplanar centrally located upwardly projecting rigid tab or grip 40 foruse as a fixed point toward which the handle loops 42 of the pressurearms 44 are drawn when raising or releasing these pressure arms 44;

Each of the two pressure arms 44 includes anelongated portion46rotatably mounted on the forward face of the rear wall 36 by a pair ofbearing straps 48 having the opposite ends thereof extending throughapertures 50 in the rear wall 36 and subsequently being bent in op Theelongated portions 46 of each tions 46 being angularly bent so as toprevent longitudinal movement of the pressure arm 44 withinthe bearingstraps 48. Each of the pressure arms 44 further includes, integral withthe inner ends of the elongated portions 46, upwardly and inwardlyangled portions 54 terminating in the aforementioned loop handles 42.The angularly bent outer end of portion 52 of each 'of the pressure armportions 46 .has integrally formed therewith a portion 56 angledupwardly at an angle similar to that of the portion 54 and subsequentlyforwardly to a point.

so as to bring the press feet 60 into clamping engagement,

with one or more papers 30 located upon the upper sur-' face 28 of thepanel 22 by spring means 62 located adjacent therear face of the frontwall 34 by a pair of spaced retraining tabs 64 struck upwardly from thebight portion 38 of the mounting base. 32. This spring means 62 consistsof a. central coil 66 mounted on a cross pin 68 O secured to the walls34 and 36, and a pair of oppositely 5 in downwardly opening hookportions 72. These hook" directed spring arms 70 terminating, at theirouter ends,

Incidentally, it will be noted that the portions 72 are engaged with theforwardly directed portions 56 of the pressure arms 44 through loops orstraps 74 which are retained in position on the portions 56 by means ofa slight kink or depression 76 in the portion 56. In this manner,through the action of the coiled central portion 66, the spring means 62acts so as to bias both pressure feet 60 downwardly into engagement withthe material, generally paper 30, to be clamped. When it becomesdesirable to release either or both of the pressure feet 60, this isaccomplished by moving the loop handles 42 rearwardly toward thegripping tab 40.

The instant invention also contemplates the provision of a pressure pad78 associated with each pressure foot 60 and secured to the panel 22directly beneath the corresponding pressure foot 60 for use inconjunction therewith for retaining the paper 30. These pressure pads 78are preferably as long as or slightly longer than thefect 60 and are ofa friction creating material so as to prevent any tendency for the paper30 to slide on the surface 28. Further, while these pads 78 have beenillustrated as raised slightly above the writing surface 28, it will beappreciated that they can be formed either flush with or even slightlybelow the writing surface 28 if so desired.

A removable cover 80 is provided for the mounting base 32 and includes afiat upper panel 82 having portions 84 thereof removed so as to allowpassage of the tongue 40 and loop handles 42 therethrough. Dependingperipheral flanges 86 are also provided for resiliently engaging thewalls 34 and 36 for retaining the cover 80 thereon. In addition, if sodesired, an elongated pencil retaining clip 88, having parallelresilient walls can be provided,

the construction of this clip 88 being obvious drawings.

The instant invention also contemplates the provision of means formounting or suspending the entire clip board 20,,this means being in aform of a suspension hook 90 consisting of an elongated shank 92 havingan enlarged circular head 94 at one end thereof and a hook portion 96 atthe other end thereof. The suspension hook 90projects from the top endof the clip board 20 and has the shank portion 92 thereof rotatablyreceived within a passage formed by arcuately deforming that portion ofthe bight portion 38 between the struck up retaining tabs 64. arcuratelyformed central portion is in effect three portions, a first portion 98located forward of the struck up tabs 64, a second portion 100 definedby the struck up tabs 64 and having a free rear edge, and a third orrear portion 102 located rearward of the openings left by the struck upportions 64. The head 94 on the shank 92 is from the As will beappreciated from the drawings, this silient position retaining spring112. The right angular hinge strap-108 is secured to the bottom end ofthe-panel 22 by suitable fasteners 113 with one leg thereof engagedflush against the lower surface of the panel 22 and with the other legengaged flush against the bottom end of the panel 22, this leg havingthe upper edge thereof located substantially in the plane of the upperor writing surface 28 and formed so as to provide a series of hingeknuckles 114. The flap 110 includes a relatively narrow portion 116having the free edge thereof formed so as to provide a plurality ofhinge knuckles 118 interrelated or intermeshed with the knuckles 114 forthe reception of a hinge pin 120 therethrough, and a relatively wideflap portion 122 having a centrally located finger thereof secured tothe flap 110 in the vicinity of the joint between the portions 116 and122 by means of a headed pin 128 having the shank thereof clamped withina bore provided by cut out and deformed portions 130 of the flap 110.The end of the spring 112 fixed to the panel 22 is orientated in a planewhich will be below the plane of the opposite 'end of the spring 112when the flap is orientated in a first position overlying the bottomends of the paper 30, 'as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and above the planeof the other end of the spring 112 when the flap is orientated so a'stoproject outwardly from the bottom end of the panel 22, as seen in FIGURE2. In this manner, aresilie'nt elongation of the spring 112 is necessarywhen moving the flap from one position to the other, thereby resultingin a resilient retention of the flap in these positions. In the firstmentioned position, it will of course be appreciated that a clamping ofthe bottom end of the paper 30 is effected, while in the second positionan extension is provided for use as a hand or arm rest when Writing onthe paper, this being particularly desirable as the bottom end of thepaper 30 is approached. The instant invention. also contemplates a thirdor intermediate position for the flap 110, this position beingillustrated in full lines in FIGURE 3 and consists of the flap portion122 projecting perpendicularly from the plane I of the writing surface28 so as to provide a ledge or surlocated just forward of the arcuatelyformed portion 98 in a slot 104 which allows the head 94, andconsequently the entire suspension hook 92, to rotate freely whilepreventing longitudinal movement of the suspension hook 90. In order toresist rotational movement of the suspension hook 90 so as to preventaccidental dislocation or disorientation of the hook 90, it will benoted that the arcuately formed portion 100, this best being seen inFIGURES 3 and 4, is downwardly bent or angled so as to resilientlyengage its free rear end with the shank 92, thereby providing a slightclamping of the shank 92 so as to, while allowing a rotation of thesuspension hook 90, tending to resist this-movement to a degreecontemplated to prevent accidental movement. It will of course beappreciated that a suitable aperture 106 is provided in the rear wall 36for the passage of the suspension hook therethrough. I p

Turning now to the flap means 26 mounted on the bottom end of the panel22, it will be noted that this flap means 26 has been illustrated asextending across the full width of the bottom of the panel 22,' thisbeing preferred, however, if so desired, the flap means 26 can beoflength less than the width of the panel 22. The flap means 26 consistsbasically of an elongated right angular hinge strap 108, a generallyright angular flap 110, and a re face against which the paper 30 can beabutted so as to align asta'ck of papers, or support the papers freelywhile the clamp means 24 is being adjusted. The flap 110 is resilientlyand releasably retained in this position through cpadle or saddle shapedheads 132 provided on the opposite ends of the hinge pin 120, thesecradles 132 being of a size so as to releasably-receive the springs 112as the flap 110 is moved into the full line position of FIG- URE 3, thespring 112 along each edge of the panel 22 flexing outwardly over thehigh point of the corresponding cradle 132 and subsequently into thecradle recess as the flap portion 122 assumes the perpendicularposition. Further movement of the flap in either direction is preventeduntil a suflicient force is applied so as to cause the spring 112 tomove over the cradle defining raised portions of the cradle 132. Withreference to FIGURE 7, it will be noted that the flap knuckles 118fixedly receive the hinge pin While the hinge strip knuckles 114 looselyreceive the hinge pin 120, thereby providing for a rotation of the hingepin 120 and saddles 132 with a movement of the flap 110, this rotationof the cradles 132 tending to facilitate the introduction of the springs112. As Will be appreciated from a comparison of FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, thecradles 132 are, in the two extreme posiposition the recesses areorientated parallel to the panel 22 for reception of the springs 112therein. Incidentally, as will be appreciated from FIGURE 3, when theflap 110 is in its rest forming position, the narrow flap portion 116 isengaged against the upwardly extending leg of the hinge strap 108 whichforms in effect an abutment for properly orientating the flap 110 so asto extend outwardly in a plane generally parallel to the panel 22.

Referring now to FIGURES 11 and 12, it will be noted that a slightlymodified form of flap means 134 has been illustrated therein. Thisparticular flap means 134 is specifically formed for mounting onextremely thin panels 136, such as for example aluminum panels, ascompared to the more conventional wood panels as illustrated in FIGURE3. One of the differences in the flap means 134 as compared to the flapmeans 26 is the provision of a cleat 138 fixed to the lower surface ofthe panel 136 so as to project laterally therebeyond, the cleat 138including an upwardly angled tab 140 to which the end of the tensioningspring 112 is secured. Another difference resides in the modified hingestrap 142 which is riveted to the lower surface of the panel adjacentthe bottom edge thereof and includes an angularly directed portion 144so as to provide a relatively wide portion 146 engaged against thebottom end of the panel 136 and capable of providing a substantialabutment surface so as to maintain the flap in a position correspondingto the position of the flap in FIGURE 2 so as to act as a hand or armrest. In other words, inasmuch as the panel 136 is in itself too narrowto provide a proper abutment surface, the hinge strap 142, rather thanconforming. directly to the panel 136 includes an additional angularlyrelated portion 144 therein between that portion which engages flushagainst the under surface of the panel 136 and that portion whichengages flush against the bottom end of the panel 136 so as to in effectincrease the width of the bottom edge engaging portion 146.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly novel clipboard has been defined, this clip board incorporating unique means forclamping both the top and bottom ends of paper so as to'provide astability to the paper which has heretofore not been available in clipboards and which can be highly desirable under adverse conditions. Inaddition, the instant invention has provided a means for clamping thebottom end of the paper which can alternately be used as a means foraligning the paper or retaining the paper while the upper clamp is beingadjusted and as a hard or arm rest while writing on the paper positionedon the clip board panel. Incidentally, while the piano hingeconstruction in FIGURE 3 has been shown slightly above the writingsurface, it will be appreciated that this joint can be orientated flushwith or even slightly below the writing surface. Further, while only asingle hinge pin 120 has been described, it will be appreciated that twoseparate hinge pins, each having one of the cradles thereon, canalternately be used.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectanguilar panel havingthe upper surface thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, clampmeans mounted on the panel adjacent one end of the panel, said one endconstituting the top end of the panel, said clamp means being adapted torelea-sably retain paper on the writing surface by engaging the paperadjacent the top thereof and clamping the paper between the clamp meansand the panel writ-ing surf-ace, flap means, means pivotally mountingthe flap means on the other or bottom end of the panel for movementbetween a first position overlying the bottom end portion of the panel,in a manner so as to retain paper therebetween, and a second positionprojecting outwardly from the bottom end of the panel in a planegenerally parallel to the plane of the writing surface, means forresiliently retaining the flap means in both the first position and thesecond position, said flap means being positionable in an intermediateposition projecting upwardly from the plane of the panel generallyperpendicularly thereto, means for releasably retaining the flap meansin said intermediate position, said flap means extending acrosssubstantially the entire bottom end of the panel, said flap means beinggenerally right angular in cross-section forming two flap portions, thefree edge of one of said flap portions being located adjacent the bottomend of the upper or writing surface, said means mounting the flap meansengaging said free edge for pivoting of the flap means about said freeedge, an abutment on the bottom end of the panel below the upper surfaceand in a plane generally perpendicular thereto, said'abutment limitingthe pivotal movement of the flap means upon engagement of said one flapportion thereagains-t, said means resiliently retaining the flap meansconsisting of at least one elongated tension spring, said springhaving-one end thereof fixed to the panel between the top and bottomends along one edge thereof and the other end fixed to the flap means atthe joint between the flap portions, said other end of the spring beinglocated above the plane of the writing surface when the flap means is insaid first position and below the plane of the writing surface when theflap means is in said second position, the movement of said flap meansbetween the first and second positions requiring an elongation of thespring, said clamp means including a mounting base fixed to the panel,saidbase including front and rear spaced parallel walls projectingupwardly from the writing surface adjacent the top of the panel, a pairof oppositely directed pressure arms, each arm having a first portionthereof extending along the rear wall generally parallel to the writingsurface from an inner end at approximately the center thereof to anouter end slightly beyond one side edge thereof, means 'rotatablymounting said first portion on the rearwall, an inner end portionextending upwardly and forwardly from the inner end of the pressure arm,an outer end portion extending upwardly and then forwardly from theouter end of the pressure arm to apoint forward of the forward wall, adepending portion on the outer end of the outer end portion, a laterallyenlarged pressure foot on the lower end of the depending portionextending transversely of the panel, and means resiliently biasing saidpressure foot downward toward the writing surface.

-2. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectangular panel havingthe upper surface thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, clampmeans mounted on the panel adjacentone end of the panel, said one'endconstituting the top end of the panel, said clamp means being adapted toreleasably retain paper on the writing surface by engaging the paperadjacent the top thereof and clamping the paper between the clamp meansand the panel writing surface, flap means, means pivotally mounting theflap means on the other or bottom end of the panel for movement betweena first position overlying the bottom end portion of the panel, in amanner so as to retain paper therebetween, and a second positionprojecting outwardly from the bottom end of the panel in a planegenerally parallel to the plane of the writing surface, said clamp meansincludes a mounting base fixed to the panel, said base including frontand rear spaced parallel walls projecting upwardly from the writingsurface adjacent the top of the panel, a pair of oppositely directedpressure arms, each arm having a first portion thereof extending alongthe rear wall generally parallel to the writing surface from aninner endat approximately the center thereof to an outer end slightly beyond oneside edge thereof, means rotatably 7 mounting said first portion on therear wall, an inner end portion extending upwardly and forwardly fromthe inner end of the pressure arm, an outer end portion extendingupwardly and then forwardly from the outer end of the pressure arm to apoint forward of the forward wall, a depending portion on the outer endof the outer end portion, a laterally enlarged pressure foot on thelower end of the depending portion extending transversely of the panel,and means resiliently biasing said pressure foot downward toward thewriting surface.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said depending portion is laterallyresilient so as to allow an accentmodationof the pressure foot tosurface irregularities.

4. The structure of claim 3 including means on said writing surfacebelow the pressure feet cooperating with the pressure feet for retainingpaper therebetween.

5. The structure of claim 2 including means for resiliently retainingthe flap means in both the first position and the second position, saidmeans comprising at least one elongated tension spring, said springhaving one end thereof fixed to the panel between the top and bottomendsalong one edge thereof and the other end fixed to the flap means at thejoint between the flap portions, said other end of the spring beinglocated above the plane of the writing surface when the flap means is insaid first position and below the plane of the writing surface when theflap means is in said second position, the movement of said flap meansbetween the first and second positions requiring an elongation of thespring.

6. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectangular panel havingthe upper surface thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, clampmeans mounted on the panel adjacent one end of the panel, said one endconstituting the top end of the panel, said clamp means being adapted toreleasably retain paper on the writing surface by engaging the paperadjacent the top thereof and clamping the paper between the clamp meansand the panel writing surface, flap means, means pivotally mounting theflap means on the other or bottom end of the panel for movement betweena first position overlying the bottom end portion of the panel, in amanner so as to retain paper therebetween, and a second positionprojecting outwardly from the bottom end of the panel in a planegenerally parallel to the plane of the writing surf'ace, an abutment onthe bottom end of the panel below the upper surface and in a planegenerally perpendicular thereto, said abutment being engaged by saidflap means in said second position and preventing further movement ofthe fiap means therebeyond, and means for resiliently retaining the flapmeans in both the first position and the second position, said flapmeans being generally right angular in cross section forming two flapportions, the free edge of one of said flap portions being locatedadjacent the bottom end of the upper or writing surface, said meansmounting the flap means engaging said free edge for pivoting of the flapmeans about said free edge, said means resiliently retaining the flapmeans consisting of at least one elongated tension spring, said springhaving one end thereof fixed to the panel between the top and bottomends along one edge thereof and the other end fixed to the flap means atthe joint between the flap portions, said other end of the spring beinglocated above the plane of the writing surface when the flap means is insaid first position and below the plane of the writing surface when theflap means is in said second position, the movement of said flap meansbetween the first and second positions requiring :an elongation of thespring.

7. A clip board comprising a rigid generally rectangular panel havingthe upper surface thereof adapted for use as a writing surface, clampmean-s mounted on the panel adjacent one end of the panel, said one endconstituting the top end of the panel, said clamp means being adapted toreleasably retain paper on the writing surface by engaging the paperadjacent the top thereof and clamping the paper between the clamp meansand the panel writing surface, said clamp means including a verticalmember projecting upwardly from the writing surface adjacent the top ofthe panel, a pair of oppositely directed pressure arms, each arm havinga first portion thereof extending along the vertical member generallyparallel to the writing surface from an inner end at approximately thecenter thereof to an outer end slightly beyond one side edge thereof,means rotatably mounting said first portion on the vertical member, aninner end portion extending upwardly and forwardly from the inner end ofthe pressure arm, an outer end portion extending upwardly and thenforwardly from the outer end of the pressure arm to a point forward ofthe vertical member, a depending portion on the outer end of the outerend portion, a laterally enlarged pressure foot on the lower end of thedepending portion depending transversely of the panel, and meansresiliently biasing said pressure foot toward the writing surface andsecond clamp means mounted on the second end of the panel, said secondclamtp means being adapted to releasably retain paper by engaging thepaper adjacent the bottom thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 869,508 10/1907McCaskey 282-8.1 2,175,950 10/1939 Brook 28144 X 2,225,264 12/1940Farrior 28144 X 2,950,8 21 8/1960 Hoofer 24-66 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO,Primary Examiner. LAWRENCE CHARLES, Examiner.

7. A CLIP BOARD COMPRISING A RIGID GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PANEL HAVINGTHE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF ADAPTED FOR USE AS A WRITING SURFACE, CLAMPMEANS MOUNTED ON THE PANEL ADJACENT ONE END OF THE PANEL, SAID ONE ENDCONSTITUTING THE TOP END OF THE PANEL, SAID CLAMP MEANS BEING ADAPTED TORELEASABLY RETAIN PAPER ON THE WRITING SURFACE BY ENGAGING THE PAPERADJACENT THE TOP THEREOF AND CLAMPING THE PAPER BETWEEN THE CLAMP MEANSAND THE PANEL WRITING SURFACE, SAID CLAMP MEANS INCLUDING A VERTICALMEMBER PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE WRITING SURFACE ADJACENT THE TOP OFTHE PANEL, A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DIRECTED PRESSURE ARMS, EACH ARM HAVINGA FIRST PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING ALONG THE VERTICAL MEMBER GENERALLYPARALLEL TO THE WRITING SURFACE FROM AN INNER END AT APPROXIMATELY THECENTER THEREOF TO AN OUTER END SLIGHTLY BEYOND ONE SIDE EDGE THEREOF,MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTING SAID FIRST PORTION ON THE VERTICAL MEMBER, ANINNER END PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND FORWARDLY FROM THE INNER END OFTHE PRESSURE ARM, AN OUTER END PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND THENFORWARDLY FROM THE OUTER END OF THE PRESSURE ARM TO A POINT FORWARD OFTHE VERTICAL MEMBER, A DEPENDING PORTION ON THE OUTER END OF THE OUTEREND PORTION, A LATERALLY ENLARGED PRESSURE FOOT ON THE LOWER END OF THEDEPENDING PORTION DEPENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE PANEL, AND MEANSRESILIENTLY BIASING SAID PRESSURE FOOT TOWARD THE WRITING SURFACE ANDSECOND CLAMP MEANS MOUNTED ON THE SECOND END OF THE PANEL, SAID SECONDCLAMP MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO RELEASABLY RETAIN PAPER BY ENGAGING THEPAPER ADJACENT THE BOTTOM THEREOF.